Barbara J. (Peterson) Leaver

Barbara Jean (Peterson) Leaver, 64, longtime resident of Stoughton, died peacefully at home May 15, 2024, holding the hand of her beloved husband Paul and having been surrounded all week by her loved ones. The youngest of six, born to the late Paul Jr. and Juliette Peterson in Peabody on December 2, 1959, Barbara attended St. John the Baptist School, Higgins Junior High and Peabody Veteran’s Memorial High School, graduating in 1977. After attending North Shore Community College she left to work at Sylvania.

On August 20, 1983 she married the love of her life, Paul F. Leaver, with whom she shared 40+ years of marriage. Moving to Stoughton in 1989, they raised three children who are their pride and joy: Rev. Kevin P. Leaver of the Braintree Catholic Collaborative, Christopher G. Leaver and his wife Alicia of Marlborough, and Julianne M. Marrion and her husband Jeffrey of Littleton. In addition to her husband and children, she is survived by her four beautiful granddaughters, Callie and Sophie Leaver and Leah and Hannah Jean Marrion. She is also survived by her sisters Marie (Bill) Reid, Marguerite (Richard) Trufant, Constance (James) Leaver, Catherine (David) Gravel, her brother Paul (Patricia) Peterson, sisters-in-law Norine (Gerald Jr.) Leaver, Janet Leaver, Tammie Cumming, brother-in-law George (Lynne) Leaver, 18 nieces and nephews and several great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents Barbara was predeceased by her in-laws Gerald Sr. and Florence Leaver, brothers-in-law Gerald J. Leaver, Jr., John Leaver and sister-in-law Virginia M. Leaver.

Barbara was a stay-at-home Mom while her children were younger, always eager to hear how their days went when they got home from school. She was the Perfect Fan to her children, always present at their extracurricular events to cheer them on, which transferred to their friends as one of the “Team Mom’s”. She celebrated her children, as well as their friends, achievements with such delight. When her children were a bit older, Barbara returned to the work force first at Westwood and later Brockton Dialysis Units for almost 24 years as Medical Records Director and Administrative Assistant, and spent the last 5 years as Managed Care Coordinator at Brockton Visiting Nurses Association, working at the same company as her beloved husband. 

Always seen with Paul, they loved spending time with and spoiling their granddaughters. She and Paul enjoyed traveling, particularly to Bermuda where they spent their honeymoon. Barbara loved the regular dinners she would have with her sisters, always arranging a plan for Paul to eat with Kevin or one of Paul’s brothers-in-law. She was an active member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Stoughton, serving in the past as a religious education teacher as well as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. 

Since her diagnosis of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in April 2023, Barbara displayed a fighter's spirit, facing her battle with dignity and poise. Her family is beyond grateful for the care provided to Barbara in her final weeks by Brockton Visiting Nurses Association Hospice for their quality care, professionalism, and dedication to Barbara.

Visiting hours will be held at Farley Funeral Home 358 Park Street (Rt. 27) Stoughton, on Tuesday May 21st from 4-8 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church, 122 Canton St. Stoughton on Wednesday May 22nd at 10:30 AM, with Interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s name may be made to the Brockton Visiting Nurses Association Hospice Unit, or the American Cancer Society.